I'm gonna tell you this and you're almost not going to believe me. I went in and out of Yokohama, Japan which is Tokyo's port - in fact I went in and out of Yokohama six times - and I never went ashore!

When I tell people I work on cargo ships they imagine long exotic port stays but, on a containership the reality is we are in and out within hours. If I want to prep the bridge for the next leg of they voyage, get a bite to eat and grab some zzz's then there is no shore leave for me.

Here's the kicker. I'm kind of an old biddie when it comes to being tired. I hate it.

Four years ago I would have been pedal to the metal. No sleep in 24 hours - No problem. That is majorly not the case anymore. If I get behind in sleep at the beginning of the voyage it takes me days to catch back up and feel like a functioning human.

I'll have to be content with sunlight outbound transits. I'll guard my sleep and document sunsets thank you very much.